Until recently the presence of aquatic beetles in subterranean aquifers was believed to be a relatively rare phenomenon with a few species from New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Bore holes and wells drilled in Australia, however, have revealed an amazing water beetle fauna of about 100 species. Exploration elsewhere has only begun.

Ereboporus naturaconservatus, an aquifer beetle from Texas, raises the possibility of many such species elsewhere. All these stygobiontic (groundwater-adapted) beetles share a number of adaptations to life underground including loss of pigmentation, softening of the exoskeleton, and loss of both eyes and flight wings. The species name honours the nature conservancy that owns the preserve where it was discovered. Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University